Quinn Cook
Photo courtesy of Steven Maikoski/USA Basketball
Behind 22 points and three assists from Quinn Cook, the USA U16 Men’s National Team made it two blowouts in as many days at the FIBA Americas U16 Championship with a 102-76 victory over Venezuela Thursday in Mendoza, Argentina.
Cook, a rising junior guard at DeMatha in Hyattsville, Md., connected on 3-of-4 3-point attempts to lead all scorers.
"I just wanted to come out aggressive," Cook said. "I wanted to throw the first punch. I was lucky enough to get a couple baskets to get some momentum. I just wanted to be aggressive."
James McAdoo (15), Brad Beal (14) and Sterling Gibbs (13) also scored in double figures as part of a balanced USA attack.
Mississippi big man Johnny O’Bryant turned in a monster performance on the glass with 14 rebounds to go along with a pair of blocked shots.
Michael Carrera, a 6-foot-4 center, was solid in defeat in Venezuela, posting 21 points, 17 rebounds and four blocked shots.
The USA opened Wednesday with a 110-82 victory over Brazil and continues preliminary play Friday against Puerto Rico. Semifinal and medal round action is slated for Saturday and Sunday.
The top three teams in the competition will advance to the 2010 U17 World Championships.
